The GRU Authority meets every month. The meetings are held in the Multipurpose Room of the GRU Administrative Building, located at 301 SE 4th Ave., in downtown Gainesville and are open to the public.
Interested in applying to the GRU Authority Board? Fill out the application here.
Upcoming GRU Authority Board Meetings
- Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: GRU Administration Building Multipurpose Room, 301 SE 4th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601
Meeting Agenda
Live Stream
GRU Authority Meeting Archive
Frequently Asked Questions
GRU Authority Board Members
Craig Carter (Chair)
CarterCE@gru.com
A former Gainesville commissioner, Carter is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Commercial M.M. Parrish realtors. Carter is a member of the Gainesville Rotary Club and vice chair of the Gainesville Regional Airport Authority.
James Coats IV (Vice-Chair)
CoatsJG@gru.com
Coats is the Chief Executive Officer of Phalanx Defense Systems. Active in his community, he serves as a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and was awarded the “Spirit of Gainesville” Award by the Alachua County Chamber of Commerce. Coats earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration from American Military University.
Robert Karow
KarowRJ@gru.com
Karow is currently retired, previously serving as the Manager, Legal Counsel, and Contracts Manager for Oleoductos de Crudos Pesados. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Earning his bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Chapman College and his juris doctor from the University of Florida, Karow has over 40 years of energy experience with an emphasis in oil and natural gas, pipelines, facilities, and power generation.
Eric Lawson
LawsonCE@gru.com
Lawson is the Chief Executive Officer of HCA North Florida Regional Hospital. Holding multiple executive leadership positions in hospitals over the past 30 years, he most recently served as the Division Chief Financial Officer for HCA TriStar. Lawson earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Tennessee Technological University.